This was yet another five-star read. I mean, how could it not be? The amount of effort this author has put into these books is truly unbelievable. I'm not sure how long it takes her to conduct her research.

Twenty years have passed, and Claire returns through the stones. I thought their first meeting felt a little underwhelming for me. Maybe my expectations were just too high.

Plenty has occurred in the twenty years that Claire and Jamie have been apart. Some of the things I wish hadn't happened, but that's life!

As with the other books, Jamie is absolutely swoon-worthy. Everything he says is beautiful and heartwarming.

It is fiction, so some of the plot elements need to be taken with a grain of salt. I mean, some of the coincidences were a bit excessive. For example, John Grey being on the same boat as Claire, and Claire finding the shipwreck of the original boat on that particular island in the Caribbean, and Lawrence showing up even though he had already met Jamie years ago in Edinburgh.

Again, the attention to detail in these books is wonderful. In the first two books, I found the beginnings a little slow, but not with this one. It was an adventure almost from start to finish.

Each book has taken me five or six days to read, so you will need patience, time, and dedication. But they have been well worth it so far.

I might take a short break now and read something else, but I'm really looking forward to returning to another adventure with Jamie and Claire.

The quotes from the book, like "It has always been forever, for me, Sassenach" and "Do ye not understand? he said, in near desparation. I would lay the world at your feet, Claire - and I have nothing to give ye!" add an extra layer of depth and emotion to the story.

The images also enhance the reading experience, giving a visual representation of the characters and settings.

Overall, this is a great addition to the series, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I'm truly at a loss for words!!!!!!!!! I have no idea where to start with my review. I guess I'll have to give it some thought... Just know... there aren't enough stars in the sky to convey my feelings.

As I progress through this series, I'm simply dumbfounded by the awesomeness that lies before me. And this book, by far my favorite in the series so far, is truly something special. Words cannot express my love for these characters and this story.

But again, it's one of those stories that only appeals to those it's meant to. And I am most definitely on that list!!!!!!

  

2.5 stars

Well, thank goodness that Voyager is now in my rear-view mirror! It's not that it's a terrible book. It's just not the right one for me, especially at this moment when I'm eager to dive into my fall reading list. But my hold at the public library was fulfilled sooner than I expected, and then I discovered there were 25 people patiently waiting in line behind me for it, so no renewal was allowed. Le Sigh!

I'm interested in the basic plot of the story. However, Gabaldon bombards the reader with details. I still believe that a more ruthless editor could improve these books by a significant margin. Apparently, the author has heard this argument before, as Jamie and Major John Grey have a discussion about the length of books when Jamie is in the prison that Grey is overseeing. They are discussing Pamela; or, Virtue Rewarded by Samuel Richardson, which is another overly detailed book. They come to the conclusion that some books just need more details to capture a life. Obviously, I don't agree, but it's a valid argument in some cases.

And, of course, I can't review Gabaldon without my ritual bird-rant. This time, it's about a pelican caught by the Chinese character and used to bring in fish. This method of using a bird to fish is a real thing in China, but with cormorants. I'm not sure if pelicans have ever been trained in this way, but I suppose it's possible. There are many cormorant species at sea that could have been chosen for the book. I'm not sure which species of pelican is referred to here, but I assume it's a Brown Pelican (and Gabaldon, with her poor bird track record, thankfully doesn't specify the species). I suspect she chose the pelican over the cormorant because it's a larger bird, providing some protection for its new master.

Having just recently finished Dr. No by Ian Fleming, also set in Jamaica, I was struck by the shared details between the two books. Descriptions of mangroves and the guano industry, for instance. Fleming references the bird guano industry, while Gabaldon specifies bat guano. I assume there are insectivorous bats in the Caribbean and caves large enough to house them and collect guano? I definitely know that Fleming's bird colonies are dead accurate. ***I just found a reference to Jamaica bat guano on Amazon of all places, so Caribbean bat guano is a thing!***

One thing I did appreciate in this volume was the lovely portrayal of middle-aged lovers. Jamie and Claire still have a passionate relationship. I also thought their hesitation when they were first reunited was spot-on - a 20-year gap is almost like starting over with a new person, after all.

I'm pleased to report that it looks like at least a year will pass before I pick up the next book in this series. Hopefully, I'll be feeling less time pressure at that point and can read at a more leisurely pace, which would reduce my resentment of all the unnecessary padding in these books.

Book number 293 in my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.

January, 2008


This is my favorite series! It has always held a special place in my heart. The stories are so captivating and engaging that I can't help but be drawn into the world created by the author.



January, 2014


Even though it's a 5-time re-read for me, "VOYAGER" remains one of my favorites in the series. It is filled with excitement and adventure, from the plague ship and pirates to the powerful hurricanes and the mysterious "The Fiend." This book is not just a great romance saga but also an amazing read that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and the plot is full of twists and turns that make it impossible to put down. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good adventure and romance.

I don't know how she manages to fit so much into one novel.

It's truly remarkable. I love exploring this world with Claire and Jamie. Their story is so captivating and full of adventure.

There are so many twists and turns that keep me on the edge of my seat. And there are so many things to look forward to in the next five books.

I'm just genuinely enjoying the journey these books are taking me on. It's like I'm a part of their world, experiencing everything along with them.

I wholeheartedly recommend picking up Outlander and continuing on. It's a series that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.

With this one, I also suggest pushing through the first 250 pages or so, if they seem a little slow. I know it can be a bit of a challenge at first, but trust me, it's all worth it in the end.

Once you get past that initial part, the story really takes off and everything fits together so nicely. You'll be hooked and eager to see what happens next.

The Outlander series is undoubtedly one of the most highly recommended series of books by me. In fact, I might even have a greater affection for these books than for Harry Potter, and that truly means a lot.

The Outlander books are set in the 1700s. They commence in Scotland and later journey to Paris, Jamaica, and the American Colonies.

The two main characters of the book, Claire and Jamie, are truly remarkable. They are profound, intelligent, and action-oriented, yet extremely real. As their relationship develops throughout the series of books, it does so realistically. They grow together.

The historical aspects of the novels are also outstanding. Gabaldon conducts thorough research, and it is truly fascinating to observe how she incorporates real historical figures and events into the storylines. If you have a passion for history, you will surely love these novels.

And yes, there is romance as well. However, these novels are not the typical historical romances often referred to as "bodice rippers." They are much more intellectual than that. Certainly, there are some steamy parts, but they are integrated in a manner that makes sense within the story, not as the central focus of the story.

Undoubtedly, they are on the list of my all-time favorite books. Each book requires some effort as they range from 700 to 1000 pages. But they are well worth it.

I think I might be among the select few readers of this series who have persevered this far… only to state that I’ve now had my fill. There is an ineffable charm to the relationship between Jamie and Claire. It has carried me through all the aspects of these books that I found exasperating. That special dynamic persists, and this book offers the reunion that was absent in the previous installment. However, a significant portion of the book either frustrated or upset me to such an extent that, in the end, I must conclude that it’s time to part ways.

Just like in the two previous books, it takes an eternity to reach the core of the story, the part that people are truly anticipating. In Outlander, it was Claire passing through the stones and meeting Jamie. In Dragonfly in Amber, it was the flashback of how Jamie and Claire were separated. Here, it’s Claire’s inevitable decision to return to the past to reunite with her husband. So many pages to slog through to get to the actual beginning of the story. It’s not just Claire’s “present day” narrative, but also Jamie’s flashback that占据了 book’s first third. His story was more engaging than hers, yet I still felt as if I was waiting for the good parts. The reunion was gratifying, although, to be honest, I’m still not over the length of their separation. The two of them wear their hearts on their sleeves, and their love feels so genuine.

The story follows them as they rediscover each other and attempt to find their place in the world. At first, it seems that might be Lallybroch, but that doesn’t last – and they end up in a life-and-death rescue mission that takes them to the high seas. I don’t want to reveal too much of the plot, but as I explain my concerns, I will inevitably do so. Consider yourself forewarned.

Major issue number one: Jamie keeps secrets from Claire. This man’s unwavering love for his wife is the heart of the series. But time and again, he leaves her in the dark about matters that, once disclosed, break her heart and make her feel betrayed. Some of these things we knew as readers. Others catch us off guard just like Claire. I understand that these books require conflict to maintain interest, but I don’t need my blood pressure skyrocketing every time we learn of some encounter Jamie had with a woman (or man) in his past that has serious implications for his relationship with Claire. For a man who values honesty so highly, he uses the “I was scared to tell ye” excuse far too often. Fail, Jamie. And fail Diana Gabaldon for crafting this as their story.

Major issue number two: Jamie is still engaging in dangerous behavior. Really? You could have led a straightforward life, free from danger, but no… comfort is for cowards, right?

Major issue number three: John Grey. What is it about Jamie that makes all the men go wild for him? The fact that the man falls in love with Jamie irritated me enough, but Jamie’s offer to him – what is revealed at the end of the book – I call it nonsense. After all that Jamie endured with Randall, I simply can’t believe it. And Grey’s jealousy and such towards Claire? Dude. She is his wife. Just no.

Once again, I’m 100% committed to Jamie and Claire, but I’m just not enjoying the direction Gabaldon is taking the series. Many, many fans adored this book, and I do see the appeal. The negatives, however, just don’t outweigh the positives at this stage. I should have stopped at book 1. I could have walked away satisfied. If only I had known…

First of all, it is indeed a five-star review, but it should be noted that it is five stars with reservations. The first 1/3 or so of the book was truly captivating, almost taking over my life. If possible, I might rate the first 1/3 six or seven stars, and the rest four. However, since that's not an option, here we are. The other reason I settled on five stars is that I really enjoyed reading, despite the fact that it got a bit weird and disjointed towards the end, and the ending didn't quite match the emotional perfection of the beginning.

The first half was just... absolute delicious agony. After the cliffhanger ending of Dragonfly in Amber, this section of the book switches between three different POVs: Claire, Roger, and Jamie and Claire's daughter Brianna. They search for traces of what happened to Jamie and where Claire can find him. There are also flashbacks to the past twenty years for Claire, Bree, and Frank, as well as for Jamie. I found Jamie's sections particularly fascinating. The tension builds and builds until Claire travels back through the stones to find Jamie, and it's truly a mind-blowing moment.

The second half was good, but it got Gabaldon Weird and lacked the structural integrity of the first half. Claire and Jamie re-learn to be in love and fill in the twenty-year blanks. There are various plotlines involving Leg-whore, Jenny, hidden treasure, a kidnapped nephew, and smugglers. The last 1/3 of the book becomes more rescuey and adventurey, with a ship to Jamaica, shipwrecks, pirates, voodoo, witches, and drunken priests. There are also some issues with the portrayal of certain characters, such as the racist depiction of Mr. Willoughby.
Overall, after finishing this book, I officially consider myself a fan of the series. The end of this book was a perfect place to stop, as it's clear that the series is going in a new direction. I can't wait for Jamie to meet Bree and wonder who the show will cast in that part.

My biggest regret is obtaining all of these in Mass Market Paperback.

However,

I truly liked this, yet not to the same extent as the others. I simply had the feeling that it was lacking something. It could potentially have been the time leap or the fact that we went for such a long period without Claire and Jamie being together. I'm pleased that we got more of Brianna, albeit only a little more. I'm not glad that we got more of Geillis and Laoghaire (I'm not a huge fan of them. Is anyone?). I'm glad to see that in this one, it was mostly Claire who got hurt and not Jamie, although he did sustain his fair share of injuries.

Overall, while there were aspects I enjoyed, there were also elements that left me a bit disappointed. But perhaps that's just the nature of a series, where each installment has its own strengths and weaknesses. I still look forward to seeing what comes next in this story.

I thought that no book in the Outlander saga could please me as much as the first one, but I was wrong!!!

This third installment is simply wonderful!!!!

This part of the story has made me remember a great deal of the sensations and feelings experienced in the first installment.

First of all, in this book, one of the most anticipated moments of the saga takes place, and once again, the author immerses you in a continuous flow of events that have kept me hooked all the time!!!

The evolution of the characters is wonderful. With 20 more years, they are all shown from another point of maturity and with personal experiences behind them, but still, none of them loses even a hint of their charm or character.

Fascinating, entertaining, wonderful, captivating… and I could only say positive adjectives about this third installment of the saga.

Looking forward to getting started on the fourth book, which I hope I will like at least as much as this one!!!!

The words "¿Sabes lo que significa vivir veinte años sin corazón?¿Ser apenas media persona, acostumbrarte a vivir con lo poco que resta, llenando el vacío con lo que encuentras a mano?" truly make one stop and think. What does it really mean to live for twenty years without a heart? To be only half a person, getting used to living with what little remains and filling the void with whatever one can find at hand? It's a profound and thought-provoking question. It makes us wonder about the essence of life, about what it means to truly be alive and have a full and meaningful existence. Do we often take our hearts for granted, not realizing the importance of that vital organ that gives us the ability to feel, to love, to experience joy and sorrow? This statement challenges us to look deeper within ourselves and question our own lives and the choices we make.

Casi a la altura del primer libro de la saga, "Outlander", esta continuación también logra cautivar al lector. La historia de cómo Claire y Jamie vuelven a encontrarse me ha parecido maravillosa. Después de tanto tiempo y tantas aventuras separados, el momento en que se encuentran nuevamente es lleno de emociones. Claire, que ha regresado a su tiempo original, no puede olvidar a Jamie. Y cuando por fin se encuentran, es como si el tiempo se detuviera. La química entre ellos sigue siendo tan intensa como siempre. El autor ha logrado describir este momento con una maestría asombrosa, haciéndonos sentir como si estuviéramos allí, junto a ellos. Además, la trama continúa siendo intrigante y llena de giros inesperados, lo que hace que no podamos dejar el libro.